Car Rental: Definition, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：renting a car (car rental)

car rental 🔊

/kɑːr ˈrɛntl/

Paying to use a car for a short period, like when traveling.

Car rental counter with family receiving keys at airport

renting a car 🔊

➕

/ˈrɛntɪŋ ə kɑːr/

The practice or instance of paying a fee to use a motor vehicle owned by another party for a specified period, often for travel.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Car from Latin 'carrus' (wagon); rental from Old French 'rente' (revenue) + '-al'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine you 'rent' a 'car' because you need wheels for a trip. 'Car rental' combines these words.

📖 Example

We booked a car rental online for our trip to the mountains, so we can explore freely. 🔊 We booked a car rental online for our trip to the mountains, so we can explore freely.

🔗 Collocations

car rental service – A business that provides cars for temporary use.

car rental company – An enterprise that owns and rents vehicles to customers.

car rental reservation – An advance booking for a rental car.

🔄 Synonyms

car hire (n.) – A term primarily used in British English for renting a car.

rent-a-car (n.) – A common brand name referring to the car rental service.

vehicle rental (n.) – A broader term that includes renting any type of vehicle.

🚫 Antonyms

car ownership (n.) – The state of owning a car instead of renting one.

🌱 Derivatives

renter (n.) – A person who rents a car.

rental car (n.) – A car that is available for rent.

📖 Cultural Story

The car rental industry began in 1918 when Walter L. Jacobs started a 'Rent-a-Car' business with a dozen Model T Fords. Today, it's a global service for travelers.